I had a good week this week with a mixture of running and volunteering / officiating, day time and dark runs.

Monday – As I hadn’t run at the weekend due to having my Track and Field officials course, I could run on Monday, however I was still pretty tired from the course and a lot of hard work. I met up with Jenny and we ran down to Cannon Hill Park, where we met this amazing dog.

An amazing dog we met in Cannon Hill Park

Back up to where I meet Jenny and a brisk trot home again as I’d left it a bit late for lunch!

6.5 miles, 12:27 mins per mile

Wednesday – Hard version of Dave’s yoga class with Jenny. Oof. I managed to do ALL the vinyasas between positions but my, my pecs and back knew about it the next day.

Thursday – Our lovely friend Bernice, who moved away to Worcestershire (and who I’m running my ultra with next year) was in Birmingham for a course so we got a bevy of Sedate Ladies together for an early evening run. Bernice, Trudie and Mary Ellen came to my house and we ran up to where I usually meet Jenny.

We did a loop the opposite way from where I usually go with Jenny and Trudie said goodbye and went to visit her mom. We dropped Jenny back off at the end of the road she lives down and carried on, getting 7.5 miles in for me, Mary Ellen and Bernice. Full view of my lit-up, flouro and reflective self from the back (thanks, Bernice!).

All lit up like a Christmas tree!

And here’s me and Bernice at the end – I’m rocking another buff with my cap, what a brill idea.

Liz and Bernice, run done

7.5 miles, 12:38 mins per mile

Friday – Managed to fit in Claire’s easier class after cleaning the house and amidst much work.

Saturday – I was supposed to run in the morning but I woke up So.Tired and I didn’t want to: when I don’t want to run there’s usually a good reason, so I decided I could live with “only” getting to 21 miles again this week and rested up. Put on my other running hat and was one of our club’s official officials at the cross-country league (men’s) in Clopton, near Stratford. We have to submit x number of officials to help with tasks as part of being in the league.

Official in rustly waterproof trousers

I was working with a chap from Tamworth who was injured – we were judge recorders, writing down the numbers of the male runners as they came over the finish line and through the funnel. All fine as the rugged terrain and three-lap course kept them reasonably spaced out, and I managed to capture this nice rural view.

I walked 2.6 miles as part of this, as we had to part in Stratford town centre and walk up, plus all the wandering around.

Sunday – A busy day. My husband went off on his bird watching trip (all the way to Essex) so I got up with him at 5 and was ready to run at 7.30 am. I did 2 miles quite briskly as got worried I was going to miss Ruth, and met her at 8 at my house (I took the opportunity to post my gloves (too warm!) and tabard/lights (the sun had risen) then we set off on 4.6 miles of jeffing (walk run strategy). She was doing a virtual half-marathon (very posh, with a number sent out in the post) you could do any time in December, I think, called Santa’s Little Helper – so I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of her outside the first heavily Christmas decorated house we’ve seen.

Ruth and the first lit-up house we’ve seen

We got back to mine for 9 reading to hand the Ruth Baton on to Trudie for the end of her run.

Trudie, Ruth and Liz

I carried on for the 0.4 miles to round up my run to 7, having a bit of a sprint for the last bit (mainly because I had a very tight turnaround coming up!).

I got showered and changed and into my Christmas running leggings (bought at great expense last year and dragged out for runs, Christmas meals, and volunteering to get the value – I did add a dress so I wasn’t displaying my bum to the world) and walked the mile or so down to the Rugby Club for the Jingle Bell Jog in aid of St Mary’s Hospice. Our running club traditionally supplies the marshals for the course every year. Thank goodness I ran into Sushma walking down – I was feeling decidedly hungry after forgetting to grab a banana on my way to the venue, but she, being a super-mom, had some Belvita biscuits in her bag, hooray! Paul (congratulations on getting your Level 1 Endurance Licence!) got some pics of me without the Grinch and then …

Christmas leggings get an outing

(muted hooray – he was VERY lively) with the Grinch. All well: Christmas fun and all that …

Fake smiles for the Grinch

Then we supported however many Santas it was to get round the 2.5k or 5 k course – I was near the end this time. It was good fun cheering people on and I saw a few familiar faces.

7 miles at 12:08 mins per mile.

I was a bit upset to just get to 21 again this week as it feels I can’t get past that. But I’ve been so busy and I did get in my yoga and those miles, and 30 squats 5/7 days and stretching 5/7 days so I’ll call that a win.

Miles this week: 21

Progress towards 1,000 miles in the year: 972

I take part in the Weekly Wrap run by two wonderful running women and joined by lots of other inspirational women. Wendy’s weekly wrap is here and Holly’s is here.

Thank you! Yes, she really enjoyed it, I’m not sure what the process was although we had to print her number then I think she had to prove it all on their Facebook page. She’s been trying to do some kind of official half every month but it’s good not to keep having to go somewhere to do them!

I think it was an afghan hound. The owner was quite reticent when we asked – Jenny asked if I could take the picture as I was being reticent about doing so so not much conversation going on. I like that I caught the park in it too.

The Grinch is a little frisky! Not sure I’d like that either….lol. I usually only get around 20-25 miles per week, so I’d be ok with it. But I have no mileage goals. I used to try to hit at least 100miles per month. I had to let that go. It doesn’t mean I like it.

I have another pic where I am REALLY not amused as it went on a little too long!! I’m only worrying about the distance because our training thing for the ultra says she wants us running 25 miles a week for the two months before we start the plan. But a) I’ve been doing 20-25 miles a week since May and b) we are NOT going to be running 50 miles a week i.e. we won’t follow the plan completely. I would break!

Think of their electric bill! Running volunteering is about the only volunteering I do now (I used to help at a social media surgery but the local one closed down) and the officiating is sort of my other hobby, too. I don’t mean to make anyone feel put to shame, though, and I do enjoy it.

This one Ruth got sent the number by email to print out which seemed a good way to do it. She’s trying to do one official half a month for a year to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research as her Dad sadly passed away from the condition last year, so that justifies race fees etc – she’s raised loads and I’m so proud of her.

What a beautiful dog! Do you know the breed? Very cute Christmas leggings but I must say the Grinch looks freaky. I prefer him to be a cartoon only. LOL. 21 miles is nothing to be sad about! I think you’ve got a great base going into your training. Thanks for linking!

I think it was an Afghan Hound. So pretty but quite shy. And yes, the Grinch was not my most favourite person there, I have to say! I am happy with the 21 under the circs but I’ve got fixated on the ultra book saying 25 a week. However, I’m also probably not going to do the 50 miles weeks the book threatens, I will fall apart if I try to do that, so … I’m already thinking of July-August just RESTING!!!

Ha yes, getting the use out of those leggings! And yes indeed. Although it’s not a particularly more busy time of year for me – happily or unhappily – just a family Christmas day, running club’s awards ceremony and my book group Christmas meal and that one santa race extra, really. But I was tired from work, mainly and that’s just an unfortunate combo of things getting delayed then all coming in at the same time.